Switching device



April 3, 1928,

A. P. BALL SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 23, 1921 umm i l ...lullin mn |||||||||I||| f4 mum@ maf-mam Patented Apr. 3, 19218.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEFlcE.

ALBERT P. BALL, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB TO SQUARE D COMPANY, OF

y DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

Application tiled November 23,1921. Serial No. 517,165.

switch contacts will be completely engaged with the stationary contacts upon a closing movement of `a switch operating handle or analogous device.

Numerous dliiiculties arev encountered 1n the use of switches because of the incomplete closure of the movable contacts. The failure to close the movable' contacts far enough so that the full area of contact between the movable blades and the stationary parts is.

utilized for current conducting purposes results, of course, in v unsatisfactory and ineliicient operation of the switch. The opportunity for closed condition isespecially Apresent with enclosed -switches since the operator is unable, and determine by inspection whether they are completely engage My invention is particularly advantageous ,for use with enclosed switches and to this end means are provided, whereby, unless the switch operating handle is so manipulated that the contacts are completely closed, the handle will be automatically returned to full open position of the switch, and the operator will be appraised of the fact that he as not exerted a suiiicient force to completely close the contacts. In a switch embodying my invention, the movable contacts are constantly biased to open position, such biasing eiect being overcome, when the movable contacts are completely closed, by a latch' whichris effective only upon such complete closure. 1f, therefore, the operator does not 've a suiiiciently positive actuation to the switch operator to cause the latch to engage the movable contacts, the handle will, upon being released, automatically snap back Into effort and time.

an open position.

A further ob'ectof m invention is to provide a novel form o link mechanism whereb the above. positive closure may be ensure and one of such character that thel same is very iluickly and simply assembled. To this end provide a link of 'but three parts and one wherein the operator may be associated with the link witha minimum of I also rovide means whereby a spring may be utilized in said link leaving the switch in a half Y with such switches, to see the contacts' without. its being in any way attached mechanlcally thereto. Such a provision results in a lowering in the cost of making the ,n devlce smce 1t 1s, of course, unnecessary to.

seat the spring in position by securing the same to elther of the moving parts.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanyindrawings, in whichi ure 1 is a plan view of an enclosed switc embodying my invention, the cover thereof being broken away to show the interior construction;

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;-

Fig. 3 is a sectional view takenn the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line .4 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, a switch casing 10 is provided with a cover 11 and has mounted therein a switch base- 12. Upon the latter are mounted a. pluralit7 of fixed contacts 13-13 aswell as a plura ity of fuse clip contacts 15-15 are pivotally mounted on posts 16--16 which are, in turn, mounted on the base 12; These movable contacts are biased constantly to open position by a spring 17, one arm 18 of which embraces the movable contact 15, whereas the other arm 19 embraces the post 16.

A switch operator 2O is integrall formed and is mounted to journal in the si es of the casing 10, the portion thereof outside of the enclosing casing being formed as a handle 20a. The movable contacts are rigidly connected to a cross-head -21 which is attached thereto through the medium of clamps 22.

Pivotally mounted on the cross-head 21 is a link comprisingy a main unitary member 23 which has a hook 24 formed at its lower end. At its other end this member 2 3 is recessed, as at 25, and in this recess the bail portion of the operator 19 is received. The recess s 14T- 14. Movable resistance of the spring 30 and in so doing compresses the s is formed. It will further be observed that the above method of forming a composite link seats the switch operator member 20 in an elongated slot, one end of which is formed bythe end of the recess in the member 23 and the other end of which is formed by the ends of the recesses 30 in the plates 26 and 27. The spring 31a is rigidly held in desired position without vthere being any necessity of securing the same to any of the link portions. Those skilled in the art will recognize the marked advantages which result, especially with regard to simplicity of assembly, fromv utilizing my invention to form a composite link which shall have a spring so positioned therein that the movable contacts are snapped open after they have been initially and positively actuated.

The hook 24 encounters, as the switch contacts are moved to closed position, a roller 32 which .is mounted on a yoke 33 of a spring 34, tlie latter being mounted in a. pocketA 35 formed in the base '12. The association of the link with the cross-head 21 as well-as the position of the spring 34 and roller 32 are such that the hook 24 is entirely in this switch closing movement 32, However, whenthe handle 20a is positively urged in a switch closing direction, the hook 24 rides over the roller 32 and at the same time presses it slightly to the left (Fig. 2). Immediately after the hook pory the roller tion 1s moved downwardly sufficiently far,

the roller 32 is snapped thereover by the spring 33, and positive closure of the movable contacts is thereby ensured. The spring 33` ses thebiasing effect of at the same time opp the spring 17, whic It is, therefore, evident that a complete closmyv invention. Otherwise, when the han e 20 is released and the come whereby the hoo is latched by the latter, the spring 17 functions to snap the movable contacts into open position.

On the other hand,- when the handle 2o? is givena switch opening movement, the op-l erator 19 travels to the upper end of the slot When the operator presses positiv yagainst the -upper end of the slot 30, it tends to rotate the link slightly to the left, whereupondisengaged from the roller .32.'

ts, the contacts obstructed latter otherwise would` 'snap the movable contacts to open position.

33 has not been overycontacts and having .Said hnk. 4. In Aa switch, stationarycontaets, movi movement of the operator- From the above description of my invention, it will be ap arent ated with a switc device whichl insures the movable contacts as'obviates thosediiiiculties which have enced from incompletely closed contacts.'

Moreover,

the switch operating member and the movable contacts, which is formed of few parts and which is so simply v assembledthat a marked reduction in cost is heretofore been experiv I have accomplished this by the` ,use of a link, between that I have associ- V a very desirable safetyl such positive closure of obtained through the practicing ofl my invent-ion. v

VVhileI have described but one embodiment of my invention, I believe that the above described device', especiallythe link utilized therein, and .the method of assem. A I lbling the same, i`ore, desire that another member having a 'slot cooperating with said recess and closing the end of said recess and forming a stop for the operator.

2.,In a switch, stationary contaets,mov-

Aable contacts, 4an operator, mounted with respect to said movable'contacts and having` a lost motion connection with said o erator, and a spring'fr snapping saidmova le contacts open, said link comprising 'a member havin a vrecess to receive said operator and mem ers for closing the end, of said recess and 'for embracing said spring.

3. In a switch, able contacts, an ally mounted with tion with said operator, anda `spring for a link pivotally 110' stationary contacts, movoperator, a link `pivotrespect to said movable a lost motiongconnec- 'lli snapping the movable contacts oA n, said link comprising a member having a ooked lower 5 to ensure the complete closure of said movable-contacts and plates mounted on opposite sides of said'member able contacts, an operator, a pivotally mounted with respect to tacts and having .a lost motion connection with sa-ido rater, and asp gfor sua ping the movabe contacts. open, said l* sie; mivillgfthe 0 lltl, and furth Pe to complete.

er comprising platesv said movable conmg reeessedat its upper end and having a hoollxld i .lower end, the

' with said operator, and a spring for snapping recessed at with said operator,

plates oil opposite sides of able contacts, an operator,

e contacts open, said link belng its upper end and having a hooked lower end, the recess receiving the' operator, and said link further comprising a pair of the upper end of said main hnk member, said plates together forming a barrel which permanently positions said spring between said operator and a stop formed bi said plates.

6. In a switc the movab a link pivotally t te said movable con lostmotion connection and a spring for snapping the movable contacts open, said link being recessed at its upper end and having hooked lower end, the recess receiving the operator and said link further comprislng a pair of plateson opposite'sides of the upper end of said mam link member, said'plates bcin bulged outwardly and o a arrel hich permanenty positions sai spring between said operator vand a stop mounted with tacts and having a stationary contacts, mov-A posit'ely to form :formedl by said plates, and said bulged por-' tions being recessed oppositelyuto the recess in the main link member, whereby the association of said plates and said member eventuates a slotted link having a spring so positioned therein'that the contacts are snapped open. c

7. In a'switch, stationary contacts, movable contacts, an operator, a link pivotally mounted with respect to said movable con tacts and having a lost motion connection with said operator, means for; insuring the complete closure of said movable contacts, comprising a spring adapted to be engaged by said link only when the movable contacts are pressed home with an appreciable force.

8. In a switch, stationary contacts, movable contacts, an operator, a link pivotally mounted with respect to said movable contacts and having a lost motion connection with said operator, means for insuring the vcomplete closure of said movable contacts comprising a spring carrying a'roller adapted to be engaged by said link only when the movable contacts are cpressed home with an appreciable force, sai link being provided with a hook which pushes said Iroller aside and therater engages the same.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto scribed my name.

ALBERT P. BALL. Y 

